Trump praises law enforcement, Kavanaugh at police chiefs convention

President Donald Trump speaks after the ceremonial swearing-in of Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh at the White House on Monday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump praised law enforcement during a speech at the annual convention for the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Orlando, Fla., on Monday.

"They see the worst of humanity. And they respond with the best of the American spirit," Trump said in front of about 3,000 people at the Orange County Convention Center, according to Florida Today. "America's police officers have earned the everlasting gratitude of our nation. In moments of danger and despair, you are the reason we never lose hope."

During the speech, Trump announced that $42.4 million dollars in grants will be given to the the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program.

"This grant program will go to funding more than 50 innovative projects targeting the greatest drug threats facing the United States," Trump said, according to CNN.

The president also took the opportunity to praise recently appointed Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was ceremoniously sworn in later Monday, and criticize Democrats who sought to derail his nomination with accusations of sexual assault.

"On behalf of the nation, I'd like to apologize to Brad and the entire a Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you've been forced to endure," Trump said. "Those who stepped forward to serve our country deserve a fair and dignified evaluation. Not a campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception.

"[In] our country, a man or a woman must always be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. And with that, I must state that you, sir, under historic scrutiny, were proven innocent."